Palin: Dueling excuses inciting violence. Isn't that what she's saying in essence?

[skip fox]

Let's look at things as they are and take back the language by saying exactly what the case is. Here is what Palin is actually saying when she talks about long past politicians dueling in America (Burr &c.):

Outrageous behavior is excused by more outrageous behavior!!!

Meaning: The violent rhetoric of today is excused by murderous behavior in the past.


That is what she is actually saying and if we put it that way, moderates and people yet capable of thought will easily see the nature of this beast.

We should look directly and clearly at all of her statements and actions and try to render them as plainly and concisely as possible. (This is much better than simply expressing outrage in tired hyperboles.) And we should do it with all other anguage and actions of wing-nuts. (And, who knows, it might improve everyone's lanaguge and actions, Democrats and well as Thug-nuts.)

Let's take back the language.

[skip fox]

1. Hell, saying that dueling in America's past political life excuses violent rhetoric today

doesn't even begin to adequately contextualize it since dueling was a rare activity, whereas the hate talk pervades our culture from all corners 24-7 with Fox and right-wing radio, angry town halls and gatherings, bumperstickers and signs. Geez. Compare that to a half-dozen duels wherein both parties often survived!!!

[noel711]

2. She throws around metaphors, knowing nothing.

A duel was a highly ritualized, public act to settle disagreement
or settle a humiliation.
IT was not done in the midst of emotion, rage or anger.
There were no nasty words flung back and forth.
Men in a duel were overly polite and supportive of each other.
Rarely was anyone hurt, but if they were, the 'victor' was
soliticious of the injured party, sometimes seeking for him
help.
You didn't run away after a duel-
you met, shook hands, walked the proper amount of paces,
turned and 'fired,' usually without aiming at the competitor.
It was the act itself that settled the grievance.

BUt Palin?
She needs to go back to school.

[skip fox]

3. Nice points all. But even if dueling was as constant and nasty as she implied

Monstrous behavior in the past does not excuse atrocious behavior now.

If so, we could take the Holocaust and claim none of our evil equaled it, therefore child molestation, serial killing, etc. is far less worse, therefore acceptable.